VOLUNTEERS from St Blazey Feast and Fete are pleased that the Bishop of Truro will return for the Saint’s day Lantern Parade on Monday, February 3.

The Bishop of Truro, Rt Revd David Williams will return for the second year running to St Blazey’s Lantern Parade which culminates in a traditional ‘blessing of the throats’ at a brief church service.

St Blaise the saint, whom St Blazey the town takes its name, was a bishop of Armenia around 316CE. He's a patron saint of small animals and sore throats. His emblems are the wool comb and the crossed candles which was a traditional way of blessing the throat.

It's rare for a church in the UK to be dedicated to St Blaise, especially so in Cornwall which is long associated with its Celtic Saints. It's thought that in the medieval period St Blaise was chosen to dedicate the church for his link to the wool industry.

St Blaise Feast and Fete Committee is a small group of volunteers determined to celebrate the town of St Blazey’s rich history. This year the committee has announced that as well as the traditional Lantern Parade, there will also be a Textile Fair to celebrate wool craft and a craft fair at the Winter Fete to celebrate commerce.

St Blaise Fete takes place on Sunday, January 19 between 10am-4pm at St Blazey Football Club. As well as the popular Craft Fair the fete will include a free lantern workshop, live music, raffles, and of course, tea and cake.

Sunday, February 2 sees the return of the popular St Blaise Textile Fair at St Blazey Railway Club between 10am to 4pm. As well as the textiles stalls, free lantern workshop, live music, teas and cake, and raffles, there will also be demonstrations of traditional wool craft techniques.

On the Saint’s Day, February 3, it’s the return of the St Blaise Lantern Parade. Everyone is welcome and come with their own lanterns to King Edward Gardens from 5.30pm.

At 6pm, The Horners band return to lead the Lantern Parade up Station Road alongside the Rt Rev. Bishop of Truro. Along the way the parade will stop for something special from Prodigal UPG performers before it continues for a short Traditional Church Service at 7pm. Refreshments at the church.

St Blaise Feast and Fete Committee have thanked Imerys for a generous donation allowing for workshops to take place in local schools.